Sergei Samoilov, Nikita Malsagov, and Kirill Kostygov are political prisoners
Three men were charged with financing the Ukrainian armed forces; two have already been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Samoilov, Nikita Malsagov, and Kirill Kostygov political prisoners. The three men were prosecuted, and two convicted, on charges of treason for making money transfers to the Ukrainian armed forces. The prosecutions and convictions of Samoilov and Malsagov, and the ongoing prosecution of Kostygov, have violated their rights to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sergei Samoilov, Nikita Malsagov, and Kirill Kostygov and that all criminal charges against them be dropped.
What were the charges against Sergei Samoilov, Nikita Malsagov, and Kirill Kostygov?
Sergei Samoilov from Krasnodar Krai, Nikita Malsagov from Tula, and Kirill Kostygov from Kerch in occupied Crimea were remanded in custody on charges of treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the prosecution, all three had transferred money to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Samoilov was remanded in custody in January 2024 and Malsagov in August that same year. It is alleged they each made one cryptocurrency transfer, but the amounts have not been disclosed.
Kostygov was detained on 14 July 2025 and for at least six weeks was held in jail on administrative-law charges of ‘petty hooliganism’ before a criminal case was initiated. Kostygov is a resident of Crimea and holds both Russian and Ukrainian citizenship. He was accused of allegedly transferring approximately 2,300 roubles to Ukraine. According to his mother, the money was used for her medical treatment.
On 4 June 2025, Sergei Samoilov was sentenced to 12 years in a strict regime penal colony and fined 200,000 roubles. On 20 November 2025, Nikita Malsagov was sentenced to 12 and a half years in a strict regime penal colony. Kirill Kostygov’s trial has yet to take place.
Why do we consider Sergei Samoilov, Nikita Malsagov, and Kirill Kostygov political prisoners?
Even if the three men did indeed transfer money specifically to support the Ukrainian armed forces, they should not face criminal prosecution. The desire to support Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression poses no threat to Russia’s security, as required for a charge of treason, and therefore does not constitute a crime. Our position is set out in more detail here.
The prosecutions of Sergei Samoilov, Nikita Malsagov, and Kirill Kostygov are intended to intimidate all Russian citizens who oppose Russian aggression and seek to support Ukraine.
Detailed descriptions of the cases of Sergei Samoilov, Nikita Malsagov and Kirill Kostygov and of our position are available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Kirill Kostygov at the following address:
RU:
Российская Федерация, 123308, г. Москва, 1-й Силикатный проезд, д. 11, корп. 1, ФКУ СИЗО-3 ГУФСИН России по г. Москве, Костыгов Кирилл Витальевич, 1994 г. р.
EN:
Kirill Vitalyevich Kostygov (born 1994), Remand Prison No. 3, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of Moscow, 11 (building 1), 1st Silikatny Proezd, Moscow, 123308, Russian Federation.
RU:
Российская Федерация, 185012, Республика Карелия, г. Петрозаводск, Птицефабрика, а/я 1443, ФКУ ИК-9 УФСИН России по Республике Карелия, Мальсагов Никита Османович, 1996 г. р.
Nikita Osmanovich Malsagov (born 1996), Penal Colony No. 9, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Karelia, P.O. box 1443, Ptitsefabrika, Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia, 185012, Russian Federation.
You can also send emails via F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), ZT (for payment with all bank cards), and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
If you have information as to the place of detention where Sergei Samoilov is held, please let us know by email at [email protected]
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
